A Dungannon man has been convicted at Omagh Court today (Monday, September 9) on one charge of transporting an animal not fit for the journey.
55-year-old, Stephen McDowell of Old Moy Road, Dungannon was convicted and fined £1,000 plus £15 offender levy.
The case arose when a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) official veterinarian (OV) at an abattoir examined an animal delivered by McDowell on May 9, 2022.
In the professional opinion of the OV, the animal was unfit for transport. The animal had two swollen stifles, a wound on its right hind leg, showed obvious signs of discomfort and was unable to walk normally.
Court conviction
Stephen McDowell was convicted on one charge of, transporting an animal, namely a bovine which was not fit for the journey, contrary to Regulations 5(1)(a) of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 and Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005.
DAERA has said that it gives high priority to the welfare of animals and operates a vigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements.
Any breaches are investigated thoroughly and offenders prosecuted as necessary.
The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (NI) 2006 also requires that animals must be fit to travel and must be cared for if they fall ill or are injured during transport.
The animals must be accompanied by competent persons and must be transported to their destinations without undue delay.
All those who have animals in their care either on farm, in transit or at slaughter have a duty of care to look after that animal’s welfare, DAERA has stressed.
